Drug interactions
Cisapride + Citalopram
Severity: Contraindicated
Cisapride and Citalopram: contraindicated interaction.
Last updated
For healthcare professionals — reference only. This page is a brief summary, not medical advice and not a substitute for official labeling or clinical judgement. Always verify before prescribing or dispensing.
Summary
Citalopram causes dose-related QT prolongation and cisapride has a well-known risk of ventricular arrhythmia. Together they increase the chance of torsades de pointes.
What this interaction means in plain words
Cisapride and Citalopram are not normally used together. Taking them at the same time is expected to cause harm or make one of them unsafe, so a different medicine is usually chosen for one of the two.
Cisapride belongs to Gastrointestinal Tract; Citalopram belongs to Central Nervous System.
Why it happens
Additive prolongation of ventricular repolarization through hERG potassium channel inhibition.
What to do
Avoid concurrent use and choose an alternative to cisapride or a less QT-active antidepressant such as sertraline. If unavoidable, monitor the ECG and keep potassium and magnesium normal.
What to ask your pharmacist
- Is there an alternative to one of these two medicines for me?
- If both are essential, who is monitoring me and how often?
- Which symptoms mean I should stop and seek help straight away?
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Other interactions of Cisapride
- Apomorphine + Cisapride Contraindicated
- Artemether + Cisapride Contraindicated
- Azithromycin + Cisapride Contraindicated
- Ceritinib + Cisapride Contraindicated
- Chloroquine + Cisapride Contraindicated
- Cisapride + Clarithromycin Contraindicated
Other interactions of Citalopram
- Citalopram + Dronedarone Contraindicated
- Citalopram + Escitalopram Contraindicated
- Citalopram + Isocarboxazid Contraindicated
- Citalopram + Methylene blue Contraindicated
- Citalopram + Phenelzine Contraindicated
- Citalopram + Pimozide Contraindicated
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Cisapride with Citalopram?
MediHelp rates the interaction as contraindicated. Cisapride and Citalopram are not normally used together. Taking them at the same time is expected to cause harm or make one of them unsafe, so a different medicine is usually chosen for one of the two. Citalopram causes dose-related QT prolongation and cisapride has a well-known risk of ventricular arrhythmia. Together they increase the chance of torsades de pointes.
How serious is the interaction between Cisapride and Citalopram?
MediHelp rates it contraindicated, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Avoid concurrent use and choose an alternative to cisapride or a less QT-active antidepressant such as sertraline. If unavoidable, monitor the ECG and keep potassium and magnesium normal.
What other medicines interact with Cisapride?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Cisapride with, for example, Apomorphine, Artemether, Azithromycin. The full list is on the Cisapride page.
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